PRICELESS

The Grandy family typically goes camping every year for Thanksgiving. For at least the last 7 years we have had turkey in our trailer, at one desert or another. It was perfect! We would order one of those turkey dinners from the store, it would fit perfectly in our oven, and we would feast.

Don't believe me? Take a gander at this pic (taken with Grandy's cell phone; pre-beautiful-camera days)...

Blackened Batcave BATMAN!!! Grandy just realized this pic was taken July 2007. About 18 months and 80 pounds ago...That WAS Grandy's ass on that Quad.

More importantly (no really, get your eyes of the "artist formerly known as" Grandy-Ass) please note my Trailer behind me.

The Grandys LOVED that trailer. It was our main mode of vacationing. Then...Grandy got whiny and started saying stupid stuff like, "It would be nice if we could take a where I wasn't surrounded by nothing but dirt."

Well, Grandy got her wish! (stupid Grandy) Last Thanksgiving we noticed a soft spot on the floor of the trailer. Uh-Oh! Better take it in!! We have really good trailer insurance (of course we do, Grandy works in Insurance) and they'll take care of it.

Well...we take the trailer in. Months go by...surgeries happen...more stuff happens...no trailer yet...Guess what folks! Grandy's trailer ends up being a TOTAL LOSS!!

"WHAT?!?" I know you're asking yourself.

It's true though. That soft spot on the floor was just the start. Apparently water had gotten in and completely rotted out most of the floor under the bed and in spots where we had not known it. We were fortunate because the trailer was covered, and in retrospect, I suppose it was better to find out this way rather than losing our bed on the interstate.

The Grandys had to cancel their Easter 2008 trip to Nevada, their July 2008 trip to Oregon, couldn't take our few trips to Dillon's Beach to go crabbing, etc. By the time Thanksgiving was upon us, we decided we weren't going to let the fact that we didn't have a trailer keep us completely off the dirt. Poor Ty had missed out on some good riding time.

So...Grandy rented a room at a hotel in Reno (which is about 20 miles away from where all our peeps were camping) and checked in about 11:00pm on Thanksgiving. Grandy couldn't sleep that night, the whole holiday just wasn't the same.

The next morning Grandy gets up, feeds her addiction, and slowly makes her way out to the vehicle (pouting), where we have all the bikes tied up on a flat trailer.

As they approach the vehicle, Grandy notices a yellow slip on the windshield. Too big for a ticket? Too small for a flyer? There was one on a truck parked next to us that had a U-Haul trailer attached to it. It was the security guard slip reiterating the parking policy. They tried to say we were blocking another space, and the aisle way, and we couldn't park there. We absolutely were not, we parked WAY OUT to make sure we didn't block anyone (the Grandys are good that way) and were not blocking any aisles.

"What a BOOB!" Grandy says to Hubby while reading the notice.

Then...it appears! The most hysterical coincidence EVER!! It truly made the rest of my day and snapped me out of my stupid pout.

Grandy notices the name of the officer:

a·re·o·la - (ə-rē'ə-lə) - Anatomy; small circular area such as that around the human nipple or an inflamed area around a pimple or insect bite.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Not getting to do your traditional Thanksgiving in your trailer? = SUCKY

Getting a parking notice from a putz security guard with too much time on his hands? = SUCKY

Same putz having a name that is an anatomical part of the boobie? = PRICELESS

Rewind in Time

I wanna go back....Back...BACK IN TIME!!!

Rewind....

Back to our time in MEXICO!!!

Since I can't...I'll just post some other pictures. It's that time, isn't it. We're getting snow, and I'm thinking of the beach in Mexico.

This was so nice and relaxing in this tub...Ty and I would put our swim suits on and let the jets go. Hmmmmmmm......

My boys snorkling in the water...brrrrrr...It wasn't until later I learned how many jelly fish there were in the water. Good thing it was much later.

One of these days I should post every picture I took of the sunset. There were about 20 shots with all the different settings on my camera, but boy was it beautiful in each one.

Me and my guy on Christmas day!! LOVE this kid!!!

2007 - A year in review meme

My good blogging friend, Dee at onthecurb, posted a great meme about the end of the year, Happy New Year!. As I look forward with much excitement about 2008, I thought I would follow her lead and answer the same questions:

1. Where did you begin 2007? At the same place I ended it, at home. NICE!!!

2. Did you have to go to the hospital? Um...yes...several times for me and for family. But I don't think I was commited, er "admitted" at all?? Don't remember.

3. Did you have any encounters with the police? It wasn't me...you can't prove it. Nope!! No encounters that count. ;)

4. Where did you go on vacation? 2007 I was blessed with multiple trips. We went to Oregon in July. I went to Vegas twice, once for "business". I went on a weekend cruise (Weekend Party Barge) with 30 women who don't drink...go figure. They were awesome ladies! Then...of course...the cous de gras...Mexico for Christmas.

5. What did you purchase that was over $500? Um...please see #3 & #4?

6. Did you know anyone who got married? My cousin...although no one knew about it til afterwards. GO ANG!!!

7. What sporting events did you attend? Football games, a couple pro baseball games, swim meets, a karate demonstration, supercross/motorcross/arenacross...something like that...and I think a soccer game??

8. What concerts/shows did you go to? Blue Man Group (Vegas), Penn & Teller (Vegas), Jersey Boys (on tour), On the cruise I saw the guy who originally sang the "Happy Days" song...don't ask me his name but yes, he's still alive.

9. Where do you live now? Northern Calif.

10. Describe your birthday. My hubby & son had to leave for a boy scout trip so they left my gifts for when I got home from work. New riding gear for my quad. Then I went out with friends. It was a good one!!

11. What's the one thing you thought you would never do, but did in 2007? Please see zipline photos from Back Safe & Sound. Enough said!

12. What's something you learned about yourself? Giving 110% of myself to my job is alright, if it's 110% of a reasonable number. I can still do a good job if I'm not giving 110% of 3,000,000.

13. Any new additions to your family? Regrettably, no.

14. What was your best month? I would have to say December...remember Mexico??

15. What music will you remember 2007 by? I bought my MP3 player in 2007. I will remember 2007 for this wonderful new addition! I use it when I work more than anything because it helps me focus and it tunes out noises around the office. :D

16. Made new friends? New blogging buddies, yes. There are some amazing people that blog...right Dee? ;) I've caught up with some old ones too.

17. Favorite Night Out - Christmas night. Spent it in central Puerto Vallarta with my boys and good friends.

18. Any regrets? No...just lessons.

19. What do you want to change in 2008? I want to keep the momentum going from 2007.

20. Overall, how would you rate this year? I would rate 2007 as a strong 8. There were issues, but nothing we couldn't get through.

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Work...work...work... Probably more time than at home??

22. Change your hairstyle? Yep! The color went darker.

23. Buy a new car?? Yep again!! My VW Bug!! Love my car!!!! Guess this goes under question #5.

24. Any car accidents? Whew...No Yep for this one.

25. How old did you turn this year?? 35 years young.

26. Do you have a New Years resolution? Yes...not to make one.

27. Do anything embarassing? Almost daily!! No wait...Don't Tell Anyone

28. Be honest - Did you watch American Idol? NO WAY!!

29. Start a new hobby? BLOGGING!!!!

30. Will you be happy to see 2007 go? I just did...and I'm still happy. I guess that's a yes??

31. Been Naughty or Nice? Both!!! What the heck is the fun of being just one or the other?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

The Beauty of Mexico through the Camera

These aren't necessarily in chronological order, but I wanted to post some of the beauty we found in Mexico. I hope I was able to do it some justice through the lens of my new camera.

This is the first night at the Resort. I was sitting by the pool, watching Tyler swim, and playing with my new camera. I'm no photo expert...but I kinda liked how this one turned out.

This one was a few moments later...I was playing with the different settings on the camera. I'm completely a novice at this, but this is how we learn...right??

This one was taken near the film "Night of the Iguana" was filmed. On the tour, they stopped us at all these little places to spend our money. I mostly walked around and looked at the beauty that surrounded me.

This is a picture of the oldest church in Puerto Vallarta. It started construction in the 40's and finished in the 80's. It's beautiful inside and out.
See what I mean???

This picture was taken of the same church, but a few days later, and from the water. It had rained the night before, and was still relatively early in the morning.

While we were out on the ship, during one of our excursions, we came across a large school of dolphins, who had fun riding in the waves we made when we made a circle with the boat. There was about 100 of them and they were beautiful!!

And what kind of Christmas in the center of Puerto Vallarta would it be without a Santa Claus??

Spending Christmas day in town with the locals was a wonderful experience. It was a beautiful night, they truly celebrated the holiday. Here is a picture of the landscape from the port, overlooking where we were staying.

I'm still learning how to transfer the photos, but I wanted to share some of the beauty we saw. I'll post the "funny" pictures another day.

I will need a DRINK for this one!!!

Did I mention my fear of heights? Perhaps some of you may remember I had previously mentioned my fear of going downhill on my ATV?


Why must my friends and family insist on testing my bravery??


As you read this, today we are to participate in our "Ultimate Outdoor Adventure". For two months now I have been mentally preparing myself for this:

Then I get an email that confirms the trip, and reminds me to wear the appropriate shoes for this:

What???? Are these people friggin nuts??? WHY???? They ARE trying to kill me...aren't they?? What's that saying...with friends like these...???

***Please note that this post is supposed to be posted on 12/22/07. If it posts at any other time, then I really screwed up somewhere and I apologize. But please pray I make it back alive...I know I am!!***

How do I work this??

I don't think I ever explained that the reason I don't post many pics on this site is because I don't have an actual camera. Any pics I've posted I've confiscated off the internet, or taken with my cell phone. The cell phone does pretty well, I think.

Well...as you all are asking me for glorious pics of our holiday...I have to share with you my Christmas present. It's actually for both of us though, although Hubby will swear he's still "entitled" to a gift he's the one that REALLY wanted this.

I'm just the kind of person that likes to "aim and shoot" but he is all into the lenses and stuff. Now I'll get to take some glorious pics of our trip to Mexico...as soon as I learn how to work it. Guess there will be time to read the owner's manual on the plane.

I'm not going to want to come home...you do realize that, right??

All you people that post beautiful pics...watch out!! I'm not promising beauty...but always a story behind each one. :)

My Christmas Adventures

Holy Canoli Batman!! Is it the end of the day already? End of the weekend? I can't believe it, only a few more days before we leave for our holiday adventure. My DSL was down the other day, and I've spent all weekend getting last minute things done for our trip.

I know I've hinted at this wonderful trip we're taking. I suppose it's time to share...are you ready?? Feast your eyes on where the Grandy family is spending Christmas!!

Palm Trees...Pools...Beaches...Beautiful Weather...Santa's sending us to Vallarta Palace in Nuevo Vallarta (just outside of Puerto Vallarta).

Not jealous enough?? Take a look at this pic!

Last year for Christmas we hosted all families and had almost 20 people in our home. At the end of the night we jokingly asked ourselves if there was a place we could go this year and just get away (not really recognizing we could). Then our dear friends told us where they were going, round about September. I didn't think the Hubby would want to go because he always says he won't go where he can't drink the water...always trying to get my goat that guy.

Well...low and behold, back in October he agreed we could go. We all got our passports and had the trip paid for by November. We leave WEDNESDAY!!! We're going to be in Mexico from 12/19 thru 12/26/07. I can't wait!!!!!

Ty is counting the hours, our friends are all set (they also have just one son close to Ty's age) and we are off to our all inclusive resort. Talk about working on that work/life balance thing!!

That being said, I am going to try and pre-write some posts, so you won't have to go SO LONG without me. I know it sounds weird, but I'm certain you all know I'll be coming back with PLENTY of blog stories too. :)

Now, I just have to make sure my son remembers how to say, "Donde esta el bano?" and we'll be alright. When in doubt...you always have to know where the potty is.